Police Services Community Review Board

Police Services Community Review Board

Mission

To provide campus members with the opportunity to further communication between the campus community and Police Services; and to provide a community review of specific complaints about Police Services not otherwise subject to review by the Deadly Force Review Board.

Role

Enhance communications. It is expected that the review board will monitor the impact of police actions, inform the community regarding important police matters and, in general, serve as a source of information between Evergreen community members and the police. In accomplishing this work, the PSCRB could hold forums, provide on-line communication and/or distribute materials.

Review complaints regarding the work of Police Services. The Director of Police Services should be, but is not required to be, the first contact for complaints about interactions between Police Officers and community members. In cases where the complaint is not presented to or not resolved by the Director, community members could file a written complaint with the Chair of the Police Services Community Review Board. This would be an alternative to forwarding the complaint directly to the Vice President for Student Affairs.

By-Laws

I. Composition of the Board. The Board shall consist of the members who shall meet the following qualifications

A. Three (3) students
B. Two (2) faculty
C. Three (3) staff members, including a staff member from Finance and Administration, a staff member from Student Affairs, and a staff member from College Advancement
D. Two (2) ex-officio, non-voting members (the Vice President for Student Affairs and the Director of Police Services)

II. Appointment of Terms.

A. The student and staff members of the Board shall be appointed by the Vice President for Student Affairs. The faculty members of the Board shall be appointed by the Faculty Agenda Committee.
B. All student appointments shall be for one academic year. All non-student appointments shall be for two academic years. All Board members are eligible for three terms of reappointment and for subsequent reappointment after at least a one term break in service.

C. Vacancies occurring otherwise than through the expiration of terms shall be filled for the remainder of the term of the member being replaced. Vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as original appointments.

D. Members who fail to attend three (3) consecutive regular meetings may be considered to have evacuated their positions and may be replaced as provided for herein. Any member who ceases to have the qualifications provided in Section I shall be deemed to have forfeited his or her office.

E. A Chair will be appointed by the Board from among its membership.

III. Compensation. No member of the Board shall receive additional compensation for services performed as a Board member.

IV. Duties of the Board.

A. In its role in furthering communication between the campus community and Police Services, the duties of the Board shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

1. To enhance police-community relations.

2. To advise and make recommendations to the Vice President for Student Affairs and the Director of Police Services concerning the provision of police services within the College.

3. To review and make recommendations concerning police department policies, procedures and programs.

4. To provide a time for any Evergreen community members to speak and hear reports from the Director of Police Services or the Vice President for Student Affairs.

5. To comment on the performance of Police Officers and on the Department of Police Services in the context of Standard Operating Procedures.

6. To recommend necessary changes in training or Standard Operating Procedures in light of any complaint, concern or issue.

B. In its role in reviewing specific complaints, the duties of the Board shall include, but no be limited to, the following:

1. To review written complaints regarding the work of Police Services and forward advisory opinions to the Vice President for Student Affairs and the Director of Police Services. When responding to complaints, the board shall conduct as complete a review as circumstances permit, including examination of relevant documents and interviewing of the parties and witnesses involved in the incident(s).

2. The Board may also advise and make recommendations concerning police
department policies, procedures, programs, training or Standard Operating
Procedures.

The Board shall have at least one (1) regular meeting per month, to enhance Police/community relations and receive comments regarding recommended changes in department policies, procedures, programs, training or Standard Operating Procedures, on such day of the month and at such time as may be determined by the Board.

For the purpose of conducting the Board's business, exercising its powers and for other purposes, a quorum of the Board shall consist of five (5) of the eight (8) voting members of the Board. Any action taken by a majority of those Board members present, when those present constitute a quorum at any regular or special meeting of the Board, shall be deemed and taken as the action and decision of the Board.

A. The Board shall elect such officers as it deems necessary in order to conduct its business. The Board shall adopt such rules of procedure as it deems necessary

B. The Board shall keep minutes of all meetings held and all business transacted. All records of the Board shall be open for public inspection except those that may be exempt from public disclosure under state law.

VI. Process for Review for Formal Complaints.

Note: To best reflect the goals and purposes of the College, community members are
encouraged to attempt to resolve their differences directly with Police Services prior to
submitting a complaint with the PSCRB.

A. The Chair of the Board will call a special meeting for the review of written complaints. Special meetings to review formal complaints may be held as often as the Board deems necessary. The Board's general quorum and voting requirements, above, shall apply to special meetings called to review formal complaints.

When the Board is conducting a formal review of a complaint, the ex-officio members will be excused. Ex-officio members may be called by the Board for questioning to inform the Board on matters related to operating procedures, training, or other facets of campus police work.

B. Pre-review meeting

1. Examining of written documents and determination by the Board of whether the incident falls under its purview. The Board will not review matters within the jurisdiction of the Deadly Force Review Board.

2. Preparation for review, including identification of key issues and lines of questioning, and determination of whether "expert witnesses" should be consulted prior to review.

C. Review

1. Opening comments by the Chair of the Board.
2. Review of key issues and plan for individual questioning of witnesses.
3. Individual questioning of witnesses.
4. Identification of missing information, discrepancies, or inconsistencies that may require further questioning of witnesses.
5. Further questioning of witnesses or dismissal of witnesses.
6. The Board will evaluate the response of Police Services to the action, consider the need for additional training or revision of the SOPs, and evaluate crime prevention steps that might be taken to prevent a reoccurrence.
7. The Board shall investigate incidents and forward written reports to the Vice President for Student Affairs within 30 days of their receipt by the Chair of the review board.